HVAC systems is essential in any indoor environment, including residences, supermarkets, malls, workplaces, manufacturing plants, airports, and hotels.
To maintain adequate air quality and efficient heating and cooling, every industrial and residential facility requires a reliable HVAC system.
HVAC is understood as “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning,” and the people that work in this field are known as HVAC technicians or HVAC techs.
These professionals may also install and maintain refrigeration units, in which instance they are referred to as HVACR or HVAC/R specialists.
The following blog post will therefore give an overview of an HVAC technician’s salary across different states in the United States along with HVAC professional job prospects.
Table of Content
- Job Responsibilities of an HVAC Technician
- Listening and paying attention
- Eloquent speaking
- Critical and logical
- Physical flexibility and strength
- Job Prospects
- Salary of an HVAC Technician
- Skills Affecting HVAC Technician Salaries
- FAQ
- FieldCamp Aids to Refine an HVAC Technician’s Workflow
Job Responsibilities of an HVAC Technician
A HVAC technician is responsible for the following:
- Inspecting installations
- Repairing and troubleshooting HVAC/R equipment
- Implementing local HVAC standards in a realistic manner
- Delivering exceptional client service
- Providing technical assistance and streamlined solutions in every service field
- Producing innovative definitions in collaboration with marketing and manufacturing, which are reactive to client requirements and market prospects
- Designing, laying out, and installing low-voltage wire systems
- Handle after-hour calls as per requirements
Aside from the technical talents acquired via formal education, some soft skills, and personal attributes might help you succeed in this field.
Listening and paying attention
It’s critical that the HVAC technician thoroughly comprehend what customers are saying about their concerns to resolve them.
Eloquent speaking
They must communicate information to teammates and consumers clearly and eloquently.
Satisfying the needs of a heavy schedule necessitates effective time management.
Critical and logical
This will enable them to compare and contrast numerous solutions to an issue before selecting the best one.
Physical flexibility and strength
They ought to be able to lift 50 kilograms and carry and manage bigger goods with ease, using either assistance or appropriate gadgets.
Job Prospects
The HVAC career has a bright future ahead of it. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment will expand by around 15% quicker than normal for all professions by at least 2026.
Because of this, it has been categorized as a “Positive Outlook” employment. However, professionals specializing in new installations may be influenced by the rate of a new building in their areas. Also, there are many business owners and contractors out there who hire service techs in their job openings with more than average salaries.
Salary of an HVAC Technician
How much does an HVAC technician make? The profession pays well, with a wide variety of income depending on experience levels, regions, and job titles.
Average HVAC technician salary ranges are as follows, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Annual median salary: $47,610
- Annual income in the top 10%: Over $76,230
- Average hourly rate in the top 10%: $36.65 per hour
- Annual income in the bottom 10%: Under $29,460
- Average hourly rate in the bottom 10%: $14.16 per hour
Salary for HVAC technicians by state and experience:
| State | Entry (<2 years) | Intermediate (2-4 years) | Senior (4-7 years) | Supervisor (>7 years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $51,200 | $61,900 | $69,400 | $92,900 |
| Arizona | $44,600 | $55,300 | $60,500 | $81,100 |
| Arkansas | $40,100 | $48,500 | $54,400 | $72,700 |
| California | $50,000 | $60,500 | $67,800 | $90,800 |
| Colorado | $45,000 | $54,500 | $61,100 | $81,900 |
| Connecticut | $49,600 | $59,900 | $67,300 | $89,600 |
| Delaware | $45,200 | $54,500 | $61,300 | $81,800 |
| Florida | $43,500 | $51,600 | $59,000 | $79,700 |
| Georgia | $43,500 | $52,100 | $58,200 | $78,600 |
| Hawaii | $46,800 | $56,500 | $63,400 | $84,900 |
| Idaho | $41,400 | $50,000 | $56,100 | $75,200 |
| Illinois | $44,700 | $53,900 | $63,400 | $80,700 |
| Indiana | $43,900 | $54,500 | $59,200 | $79,500 |
| Iowa | $42,400 | $51,300 | $57,700 | $76,700 |
| Kansas | $45,800 | $55,300 | $62,200 | $82,800 |
| Kentucky | $46,000 | $55,500 | $62,400 | $83,200 |
| Louisiana | $43,500 | $52,500 | $58,900 | $78,600 |
| Maine | $47,200 | $57,100 | $64,300 | $85,400 |
| Maryland | $46,900 | $57,900 | $63,600 | $84,900 |
| Massachusetts | $48,900 | $63,100 | $68,300 | $88,400 |
| Michigan | $43,300 | $55,700 | $60,400 | $78,300 |
| Minnesota | $46,100 | $57,500 | $64,300 | $83,300 |
| Mississippi | $41,500 | $50,100 | $56,200 | $75,100 |
| Missouri | $45,500 | $55,000 | $61,800 | $82,200 |
| Montana | $41,800 | $50,700 | $56,800 | $76,100 |
| Nation | $47,100 | $56,700 | $63,800 | $85,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,500 | $54,500 | $61,800 | $82,100 |
| Nevada | $44,700 | $54,200 | $60,700 | $81,300 |
| New Hampshire | $48,000 | $58,000 | $65,200 | $86,800 |
| New Jersey | $49,500 | $59,600 | $67,000 | $89,500 |
| New Mexico | $41,700 | $50,500 | $56,600 | $75,800 |
| New York | $47,800 | $62,200 | $64,900 | $86,300 |
| North Carolina | $43,600 | $51,400 | $58,400 | $78,900 |
| North Dakota | $43,300 | $52,400 | $58,900 | $78,400 |
| Ohio | $44,100 | $53,600 | $61,300 | $79,800 |
| Oklahoma | $42,400 | $51,200 | $57,400 | $76,700 |
| Oregon | $45,900 | $55,400 | $62,200 | $83,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,500 | $55,500 | $61,300 | $80,500 |
| Rhode Island | $48,000 | $58,100 | $65,300 | $86,900 |
| South Carolina | $43,500 | $52,400 | $58,900 | $78,500 |
| South Dakota | $43,700 | $52,700 | $59,300 | $78,900 |
| Tennessee | $43,000 | $55,100 | $58,300 | $77,800 |
| Texas | $44,100 | $52,400 | $59,900 | $79,900 |
| Utah | $43,500 | $52,700 | $59,000 | $79,200 |
| Vermont | $43,500 | $52,600 | $59,000 | $78,600 |
| Virginia | $44,900 | $53,900 | $60,800 | $81,100 |
| Washington | $47,700 | $57,800 | $64,800 | $86,700 |
| West Virginia | $40,400 | $48,700 | $54,800 | $73,100 |
| Wisconsin | $43,400 | $55,000 | $60,700 | $78,500 |
| Wyoming | $42,400 | $51,300 | $57,500 | $77,100 |
HVAC technician salary range
The base salary of an HVAC service technician depends on job title, experience level, job market, and the level of business owners. The following are the significant results from the HVAC average salary data:
- The national median income for an entry-level HVAC technician with 0-2 years of experience is $47,100.
- The HVAC salaries are $56,700 per year for HVAC service technicians with intermediate competence (2-4 years) and $63,800 per year for seasoned HVAC technicians (4-6 years).
- HVAC supervisors (7+ years of experience level) earn an $85,100 average salary.
- The data show that what HVAC technicians earn varies widely even within the same state, depending on geography.
- Intermediate HVAC service professionals in the 10th percentile in California, for instance, earn $47,400. It’s $74,200 in the 90th percentile. In Ohio, these figures are $44,200 and $64,800, respectively.
- Throughout 10 of the 50 states of the United States, including Columbia, the 50th percentile for beginning HVAC technicians is greater than the national average.
- Although Alaska had the highest median compensation for admittance and advanced-level HVAC technicians, earnings in New York and Massachusetts climbed faster, making intermediate HVAC workers the highest paid.
- Entry-level HVAC technician salary is the most in two of the country’s most populous cities: San Francisco with $55,600 per year or $26.73 per hour and New York City with the highest salary of $54,100 per year or $26.01 per hour.
- Alaska, Fairbanks, and Danbury, Connecticut, are tied for second place at $52,100 per year or $25.02 per hour.
- The cost of living affects HVAC specialists’ salaries significantly. San Francisco has the highest compensation for entrance-level HVAC technicians when the cost of living is considered, with $55,600 at the 50th percentile.
- Compared to San Francisco, Burlington, Vermont’s $46,100 entrance level HVAC technician income in the top quarter provides double the standard of life.
- At the entry-level, every location in the data gives at least a 25% expenditure bonus over San Francisco.
- The lowest median salaries for entry-level HVAC technicians are in Arkansas with $40,100 per year and West Virginia with $40,400 per year; the highest is in California with $50,000 per year and Alaska with $51,200 per year.
Skills Affecting HVAC Technician Salaries
To practice as an HVAC technician, you’ll require proper training. The skills that affect your salaries are:
Schooling and community college
Most firms prefer to hire people who have attended a trade or specialized school for post-secondary education. HVAC training is also available through the United States Armed Forces.
One can also become an HVAC tech by completing a course from community college. One of the benefits is they get exposure to various job openings starting with a base pay.
Licensing
HVAC technicians must be licensed in several states and municipalities. This typically entails passing a written exam.
Apprenticeship programs
Businesses will also hire applicants who have undergone a paid apprenticeship of three to five years. Apprentices learn their trade both in and out of the classroom. Their job growth and average salary increases with time.
- Heat and electronically insulating gloves
- Safety goggles
- Hard-soled boots
- Helmets
An HVAC Business Software That Helps You To
Save up to 95% of your timeAutomate 90% of your daily operationsGenerate and track reports in a few clicks
Start Your Free Trial
No credit card details required
FAQs
Most HVAC technicians work for construction companies, although one out of ten is self-employed.
Schools, hospitals, corporate sites, workplaces, homes, and occasionally many locations on the same day are examples of work environments.
They may be assigned to a long-term project or conduct daily service calls to diverse places.
Is HVAC technician a safe profession?
Technicians no matter plumbing professionals or electronic professionals, all deal with heavy equipment and dangerous substances.
Hence, it’s important to safeguard yourself with adequate safety tools to prevent any accidents from happening.
Safety tools for HVAC technicians include:
FieldCamp Aids to Refine an HVAC Technician’s Workflow
The nuts and bolts of an HVAC technician have been explained above, and by those, we can conclude that the job isn’t a walk in the park.
Tasks like scheduling, payment processing, reporting, and tracking become difficult to do manually as the business grows.
For that need, we shift onto field service management platforms that help in efficiently streamlining businesses’ work processes.
FieldCamp is one such trusted field service management software curated to handle all the work practices of HVAC technicians.
The software has a user-friendly interface and is bent on making job tasks automated and detailed.
The software lets you schedule services, track job progress, dispatch HVAC professionals, and generate HVAC invoicing, payment, and reporting. You can visit the FieldCamp official website and try their 7-day free trial to evaluate things yourself.
Sign up for weekly updates from Fieldcamp.